The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine

Ukraine is currently embroiled in a tense battle with Russia to preserve its economic and political independence. But today's conflict is only the latest in a long history of battles over Ukraine's existence as a sovereign nation. As award-winning historian Serhii Plokhy argues in The Gates of Europe, we must examine Ukraine's past in order to understand its fraught present and likely future.

Bohdan Hodiak says:"Superb book; poorly read"

Publisher's Summary

The three tales in this audiobook are adapted from stories told by the peasants in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. They are drawn from some books I found in shops when I visited the former USSR in 1988 as part of a citizen diplomacy group. I was intrigued by these folktales, since my paternal grandmother lived for some time in Odessa in the Ukraine. Also, I found these stories share a common theme - the poor peasant is able to succeed despite obstacles against an unfair ruler. He does so by being wise and generous and having a strong desire to help and protect his family. Generally, the rich merchant or powerful ruler is foiled by his own greed and stupidity. These stories come from the Ukraine, Latvia, and Turkmen. They are three of my favorite stories.